Rotationally deployed folding firearm accessory

ABSTRACT

A firearm accessory has a foldable mirror housing that is attached through a hinge with a rotatable mirror platform. This rotatable mirror platform sits atop a bearing platform that in turn is integral with a rail mount. The rotatable mirror platform has a locking device that engages the fascia of the bearing platform popping mirror into positions or angles of most common use. A knob has a housing therefore having an associated friction disk and axle. A locking device on the mirror housing engages the exterior surface of the back of the knob housing for positions of most common vertical angles of use. Finally, a spring actuated sliding mirror is an optional feature as it is mounted on a mounting plate therefore allowing for height adjustment of mirror as well as the interchanging of mirror types.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/389.286 filed on Feb. 22, 2016 herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to firearm devices that are utilized to assist a user in sighting a target of potential danger or a hostile enemy combatant. More particularly, the present invention relates to deployable mirrored devices and are suitably attached to a firearm, thereby facilitating the viewing of persons, objects, or scenery from a relatively safe vantage point. These devices are mounted on a rifle or pistol rail system and optionally used in conjunction with other sighs and/or viewing devices to locate and pinpoint targets from any position that user would be in relationship to the firearm.

Weapons Rails

Weapon rails are found on many types of firearms including rifles, pistols, automatic as well as semi-automatic and more. Various firearm accessories are mounted thereon whether on top or bottom, on one or more sides, in front or back, or any combination of the aforementioned. Various target viewing devices such as reflex sights, scopes, night vision, range finders, laser sights, as well as high powered lights and more are mounted on these weapons' rails to aid the firearm's overall range of use and function and they are ubiquitously seen on a wide range of firearms and firing ranges.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

In general, firearm accessories have long been established for mounting on rifles and pistols. Such accessories include red dot sights, high powered lights, night vision, scopes, laser sights, and the like. All of the aforementioned firearm accessories aid in locating and pinpointing a target, however, the aforementioned prior art offers no protection to the user in a theater of combat in that they fail to provide the user with the ability to accurately locate and pinpoint a target with the user being in the many various positions that he would have to position himself while taking cover during incoming fire in a theater of combat in that the user would have to expose himself as a target to the accurate use of a firearm.

In other words, in order to accurately locate, pinpoint, and fire on a target, the user of the firearm must become a target to do so which presents a problem in that first responders, soldiers, and law enforcement personnel often encounter hostile combatants, violent actors, or offenders who carry pistols, rifles, or other weapons. In military scenarios, battles and other military operations, often occur in urban theaters requiring armed forces to patrol and engage in battle in towns and cities. Personnel on patrol in dangerous areas must regularly take cover behind obstacles such as buildings, vehicles, trees, homes, etc. and have to locate and fire on hostile combatants from protective cover. The problem is that with friendly combatants' entire body being behind cover, a clear lineal view to be able to locate and accurately fire on advancing hostile forces cannot be accomplished without looking over or around these fortified structures to both locate and fire on hostiles, exposing himself as a target while doing so. In fact, statistics tell us that as much as 50 percent of American casualties occur on the battlefield while doing so.

Therefore a need exists for a device both to the effective use of surveillance that enables the user to maintain a clear lineal view in a full range of viewing angles of an area while remaining totally behind protective cover as well as enabling the user to the full accurate use of a firearm from any position that the user would have to position himself or herself in relation to the firearm, more particularly for a device that provides advanced methods and systems that enable combatants the ability to remain fully behind protective cover while having the ability to both locate targets of potential danger as well as accurately fire around a wall, vehicle, or any other bullet proof structure combatant is taking protective cover behind without having to expose himself or herself as a target while doing so. Various solutions to this problem have been proposed in the literature of this patent application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the known art and the problems that remain unsolved by providing a firearm accessory as disclosed herein.

A firearm accessory comprising: a mirror disposed within a mirror housing having a first integral hinge in rotational association with a rotatable mirror platform through a second hinge integrally associated with the rotatable mirror platform.

In another aspect, further comprising: an axle device mounted between the first integral hinge and the second hinge.

In another aspect, wherein the axle device further comprises: a pin. In another aspect, wherein the axle device further comprises: an integral disk at an end of the axle device.

In another aspect, wherein the axle device further comprises: a pin integral at a center of a disk.

In another aspect, wherein the pin is inserted between the first integral hinge and the second hinge.

In another aspect, further comprising: a friction device associated with the first integral hinge and the second hinge.

In another aspect, further comprising: a housing integrally associated an end of the rotatable mirror platform.

In another aspect, further comprising: an axle device mounted between the first integral hinge and the second hinge wherein the axle device has a disk integral therewith that is mounted in the housing.

In another aspect, further comprising: a friction disk device mounted in the housing.

In another aspect, further comprising: a cover removably attached to the housing.

In another aspect, further comprising: a bearing attached to and rotationally associated with the rotatable mirror platform.

In another aspect, wherein the bearing further comprises: an integral rail mount.

In another aspect, further comprising: a position lock mounted on the rotatable mirror platform and rotationally associated with the bearing.

In another aspect, further comprising: a friction lock mounted on the rotatable mirror platform and rotationally associated with the bearing.

In another aspect, wherein the mirror housing further comprises: a position lock integrally formed from the mirror housing and in physical associate with the rotatable mirror platform.

A firearm accessory comprising: a mirror disposed within a slidable mirror housing moveable using a mirror mounting plate wherein the mirror mounting plate has a first integral hinge in rotational association with a rotatable mirror platform through a second hinge integrally associated with the rotatable mirror platform.

In another aspect, further comprising: a button associated with both the mirror mounting plate and the slidable mirror housing and situated within the slidable mirror housing. In another aspect, further comprising: a spring assembly mounted on the slidable mirror housing and associated with the button and with the mirror mounting plate.

A firearm accessory comprising:

a mirror disposed within a slidable mirror housing moveable using a mirror mounting plate wherein the mirror mounting plate has a first integral hinge in rotational association with a rotatable mirror platform through a second hinge integrally associated with the rotatable mirror platform; a button associated with both the mirror mounting plate and the slidable mirror housing and situated within the slidable mirror housing; a spring assembly mounted on the slidable mirror housing and associated with the button and with the mirror mounting plate; and a slot in the back of the mirror mounting plate for placement of a fastener therein and further through a corresponding aperture in the slidable mirror housing.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, in which:

FIG. 1A presents a left side view of an embodiment herein disclosed as if the threaded knob 8 were located on this side. FIG. 1B is a right side view of an embodiment taught herein with the back plate 29 of the friction disk housing visible on this side. FIG. 1C presents a front perspective view of an embodiment taught herein disclosed as if the threaded knob 8 were located on the right side of the device instead of the left side as in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2A present a rear view of the mirror housing 21 showing the various hinges 2 integral therewith in an embodiment disclosed herein. FIG. 2B shows a bottom level view of rotatable mirror platform 20 showing the various hinges 1 integral therewith in an embodiment disclosed herein. FIG. 2C shows a front perspective tilted view of a fascia 19 integral with a bearing platform 19B and a rail mount 19A.

FIG. 3A presents a close up bottom view of a rotatable mirror platform 20 in an embodiment disclosed herein. Arrows between FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show how the various structures correspond to one another. FIG. 3B presents a close up front tilted view of a fascia 19 integral with a bearing platform 19B and a rail mount 19A. Arrows between FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show how the various structures correspond to one another.

FIG. 4A presents a rear view of the mirror housing with the ball housing shifted to the opposite side from that shown in FIG. 2A of the hinge device and engaging the rotatable mirror platform also having its housing and knob shifted accordingly; the image is also rotated 90 degrees from that shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 4B shows a longitudinal hinge pin 11 integral with a disk 9 head in an embodiment taught herein.

FIG. 4C shows a friction disk 17A having a central hole for mounting in the hinge pin 11 in an embodiment taught herein. FIG. 4D shows a friction disk for mounting atop the disk 9 integral with the hinge pin 11.

FIG. 5A presents a left side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A with the mirror 22 folded downwards in an embodiment disclosed herein. FIG. 5B presents a view of hinge pin 11 with integral plate 9 with friction disc 17A and friction disc 17 in their proper order of assembly. FIG. 5C presents a bottom view of a knob 8 in an embodiment disclosed herein. The knob 8 has a space, 14, that houses spring 5 and compression pad 6 at its center surrounded by a circular side wall, 14A. FIG. D presents a sideview of a spring and compression pad in an embodiment disclosed herein. FIG. 5E presents a side cross section view of knob in an embodiment disclosed herein.

FIG. 6A presents a side view of a firearm accessory with the mirror and mirror housing folded down upon the rotatable mirror platform as taught in an embodiment herein. This is a right side view of an embodiment taught herein with the back plate 29 of the friction disk housing 7 visible on this side. This view also shows buttons 39 inserted within the mirror housing 21A; these buttons 39 permits the extension of the mirror beyond the confines described in previous embodiments. FIG. 6B presents a front slightly rotated view of a firearm accessory with the mirror and mirror housing deployable straight up in an embodiment disclosed herein showing the knob on the left side of the accessory. This view also shows buttons 39 inserted within the mirror housing 21; these buttons 39 permits the extension of the mirror beyond the confines described in previous embodiments.

FIG. 7A presents a top view of a bearing platform having a fascia and an integral rail mount having a fascia section 19 and having ball bearings 18 loaded in a depression within the bearing platform 19B in an embodiment taught herein. FIG. 7B presents a top view of a rotatable mirror platform in an embodiment taught herein. FIG. 7C presents a rear view of a mirror mounting plate 46 in an alternative embodiment taught herein. FIG. 7D presents a rear view of an alternative mirror housing 21A with back section of mirror housing 21B removed in an embodiment taught herein; a cross section on the right and left thereof shows how buttons 39 interact with spring actuation. FIG. 7E presents a rear view of the mirror mounting plate 46 attached to the alternative mirror housing 21A in an embodiment taught herein. FIG. 7F presents a rear view of the mirror housing that would mechanically fasten and become an integral part of mirror housing 21A in an embodiment taught herein.

FIG. 8 presents a close up view of the spring actuated latch and button that pushes against a curved portion of the latch in an embodiment taught herein so that the alternative mirror housing 21A can be moved along the mirror mounting plate 46 and be latched into the cut out lower sections of teeth 45 to facilitate height adjustment of mirror housing 21A.

FIG. 9 presents a left side view of an alternative embodiment similar to that shown in FIG. 5A with the mirror 22 folded downwards in an embodiment disclosed herein. Here buttons are provided as shown previously as in FIG. 8 for example.

FIG. 10A presents the entire device mounted on a weapon's rail and rotated 90 degrees to view the device from its back side with the mirror housing cover 21B illustrated as transparent with the mirror raised to a vertical position so that the back side of the internal workings of mirror housing 21A can be viewed in an embodiment taught herein and with mirror housing 21A lowered down and locked into its lowest position. FIG. 10B presents an extended mirror housing mounted on a mirror mounting plate in an embodiment taught herein on a device mounted on a weapon's rail and rotated 90 degrees to view the device from its back side with the mirror housing cover 21B illustrated as being transparent with the mirror raised to a vertical position so that the back side of the internal workings of mirror housing 21A can be viewed in an embodiment taught herein and with mirror housing 21A raised up and locked into its highest position in an embodiment taught herein.

FIG. 11A presents an alternative embodiment having a flat mirror height adjustable through the use of two mechanical fasteners that pass through slots in the back of the mirror mounting plate in an embodiment taught herein. FIG. 11B presents an alternative embodiment having a convex mirror that is height adjustable through the use of two mechanical fasteners that extend through slots in the back of the mirror mounting plate that attach mirror mounting plate to the mirror base in an embodiment taught herein.

FIG. 12A is a rear view of a mirror housing having a U lip with screws inserted through slots in the back of a mirror mounting plate to attach it to the mirror housing in an embodiment taught herein. in an embodiment taught herein. FIG. 12B is a rear view of a mirror housing having a U lip with screws inserted through slots in the back of a mirror mounting plate to attach it to the mirror housing in an embodiment taught herein.

FIG. 13A is a front view of a large convex mirror and housing mounted on a mirror mounting plate having slots for insertion of screws impacting the back of the mirror housing in an embodiment taught herein. FIG. 13B presents a rear view showing the mirror housing having a central cutout region for placement of a mirror mounting plate in an embodiment taught herein.

FIG. 14A presents a rotated perspective view of a mirror housing having a raised upside down U shaped lip 53 for engagement with the sides of the mirror mounting plate 43 shown in FIG. 14B. FIG. 14B presents a side view of the firearm accessory in an embodiment taught herein with the mirror mounting plate 43 raised to a vertical position. FIG. 14C presents a side view of the firearm accessory in an embodiment taught herein with the mirror mounting plate 43 attached to mirror mounting base 21B closed or folded down upon the rotatable mirror platform 20.

FIG. 15A presents a rear view of a mirror housing having a raised upside down U shaped lip 53 for engagement with the sides of the mirror mounting plate 43 shown in FIG. 15C-D.

FIG. 15B presents a front side view of a mirror 22 and mirror housing 21 B in an embodiment taught herein. FIG. 15C presents a rear view of a mirror mounting plate 43 having hinge portions 2; a textured back surface of 43; and a spring actuated ball housing 28 at an end thereof in an embodiment taught herein. FIG. 15D presents a rear view of the mirror mounting plate 43 having hinge portions 2 and slots for insertion of the screws 55 there through as well as ridges and grooves 51 thereon for engagement with ridges and grooves 52 in the back side of the mirror housing 21B in an embodiment taught herein.

FIG. 16A presents a user having a firearm accessory mounted on a rail of a rifle forward of a viewing device in order to search and scan the environs for an opponent or other objective around a corner. FIG. 16B presents a firearm accessory mounted on a rail of a rifle to the rear of a viewing device such as a scope or similar target viewing device. A user can acquire the target image from the scope using the mirror reflected images from the scope thereby preventing the user from exposing himself to danger in order to return fire.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in each figure.

Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. It should be understood that there are several embodiments taught herein that disclose a plurality of unique characteristics.

A) Angle of Usage: In particular, the rotational firearm accessory taught herein adjusts both rotationally and vertically to any rotational or vertical angle of adjustment. Thus, the device is capable of being rotated for a complete 360 degrees and the mirror can be either folded up or folded down to any position of vertical adjustment and mirror assembly is also slidable upwards as described further herein in the following embodiments.

B) Multiplicity of Targeting Positions: When the firearm accessory is mounted behind the target viewing device, the firearm accessory enables a user to view the reflected target image provided by the target viewing device; thus, the user can see the image from any position that the user would position himself from either side or around the firearm. Then, by simply rotating the firearm or by adjusting the angle of the mirror as needed, the user is able to also view the target reflected image provided by the viewing device from any position such as overhead, underneath the firearm, and from either side of the firearm. Because of this ability to view targets from virtually any position, users can engage targets over a wall or armored vehicle and more; he or she is able to target objectives from overhead, underneath or basically from any position that the user could have to engage targets without becoming a target in the process.

C) Surveillance Abilities: When a firearm accessory from one of the embodiments taught herein is mounted in front a target viewing device, the device enables the user to surveil the environs and thereby locate advancing hostiles. Of course, this happens whilst using the previously described rotational and positional capabilities; because of this, a user is able to watch the situation develop, such as the advancement of hostile combatants, from off to any angle that the user would be in relation to the area being surveilled, from a safe secure location such as behind a building, armored vehicle, truck or other fortified structure. The reflected image of the target and surroundings arrives at the firearm accessory mirror in front of the target viewing device and is reflected thereby into the target viewing device and directly back to the user of the firearm. This device also works extremely well with the naked eye when using this device for surveillance purposes.

D) Predetermined Positions: The firearm accessory embodiments taught herein are designed to have a plurality of common angles of adjustment. Thus, locking devices disclosed within this document enable the device to be situated rapidly into these common angles for quick and easy targeting thereby. This enables a user to acquire targets quickly and easily. This device is also engineered with adjustable friction devices that maintain both of its vertical and rotational desired angle of adjustment which prevents the mirror from moving out of its angle of adjustment while being exposed to the forces of inertia during recoil during use.

E) Low Profile: The firearm accessories taught herein in the disclosed embodiments are engineered and designed in a manner that this device maintains a very low profile when mirror assembly is lowered down and popped into its position of non-use and with the device rotated around and popped into its position of non-use, parallel to the weapon's rail, and even the friction disc knob and housing remains on the side of the device when not in use, so, in other words, this device remains at a lower profile than almost all of the target viewing devices that it would be working in conjunction with, thus, the device does not obstruct the view of and viewing device that it would be working in conjunction with, in any way, when not in use. As a result, there would be no reason to remove the device when not in use even though it is equipped with a weapons rail mount device integral therewith that makes it quickly and easily removable for ordinary servicing.

F) Height Adjustability: The mirror assembly described in the various embodiments disclosed herein is height adjustable so that this enables the device to work in conjunction with almost any target viewing device that it would need to be working with, in that, all the various types of sights such as Iron sights, Reflex, Red Dot sights, scopes, night vision, etcetera, all mount at various height profiles off of the firearm's weapon's rail which enables this device to work in conjunction with any of these target viewing devices. Thus, the height adjustability of the herein disclosed firearm accessory is advantageous.

G) Replaceability & Separability: The mirror described in some embodiments disclosed herein is also separable from the accessory upon which it is mounted. Additionally, it is replaceable with an identical mirror device or with a different mirror altogether; thus, a user can replace it with a larger mirror or even a differently shaped mirror such as a convex mirror for a wider field of view, which could prove to be an advantageous mirror choice for the user in many scenarios and applications, such as by mounting this larger mirror or convex mirror on the device. When using one of these devices for surveillance purposes, this would give the user a much larger field of vision both when using this device in conjunction with a target viewing device or with the naked eye when this device is mounted behind the target viewing device it is working in conjunction with; it should be apparent that this is so since a larger mirror, convex mirror, or both larger convex mirrors would provide a better field of vision in either disposition thereof disclosed above for the target image and surrounding area and even when it is used only with the naked eye the results would be the same.

FIG. 1A presents a left side view of an embodiment herein disclosed as if the threaded knob 8 were located on this side. The firearm accessory is mounted atop a firearm rail with a rotatable mirror platform 20 parallel to the rail. A mirror 22 is mounted in a housing 21 and placed atop the mirror platform 20 when the housing 21 is folded downwards on a hinge device and popped into a position of non-use as further described below.

FIG. 1B is a right side view of an embodiment taught herein with the back plate 29 of the friction disk housing 7 visible on this side. The firearms accessories, rail mount 19A, is mounted to a weapon's rail 48 that is integral to the firearm. This rail mount, 19A, in turn is integral with a bearing platform 19B using the fascia 19 of the bearing platform 19B that has various indents 12, 13. Small indents 12 located in the fascia 19 of the bearing platform 19B are locking devices used by a spring loaded ball 15 that pops into and out of these indents, and is used mainly for quick reference to mirror angle such as 22.5 degrees and 67.5 degrees. Large indents 13 in fascia 19 of the bearing platform 19B that spring loaded ball 15 pops into and out of are used mainly for quick reference to mirror angle of 45 degrees as well as popping into position of non-use, parallel to weapon's rail. The fascia 19 is where tension adjustable friction pad 14 rubs against to keep mirror at desired angle of use.

A spring adjusting set screw 4 is mounted in an extrusion of the mirror housing 21 and is positioned to engage the back portion of the friction disk housing 29 as taught herein. A mirror stop 36 protrudes out of the back plate 29 of the friction disk housing and works in conjunction with the indent 37B on the back side of the 29 friction disk housing and this indent 37B located on the back side 29 of friction disk housing that works in conjunction with spring loaded ball located in ball housing 28 that indicates and pops into positions of most common vertical use. An additional indent 38 is located on the back side 29 of friction disk housing to maintain the mirror angle at another desired angle of vertical adjustment as well as one under the spring loaded ball 37A, not seen, that maintains the mirror 22 and mirror housing 21 in its position of non-use, with reflective side of mirror laying on top of mirror mounting base 20.

FIG. 1C presents a front perspective view of an embodiment taught herein disclosed as if the threaded knob 8 were located on the right side of the device. A mirror 22 is mounted within a housing 21 and has several hinge joints 2 integral thereto. These hinge joints 2 has a hinge pin 11 either crimped thereto or held solidly into these joints with a set screw. Each hinge joint 2 has a corresponding space on a rotatable mirror platform 20 therefore. Additionally a space on the rotatable mirror platform 20 has a corresponding hinge joint 1 mounted therein. There is a small space located between each of these hinge joints that allow proper adjustment of the friction discs, not seen, located inside knob 8, further described in FIG. 5 A,B,C,D, and E.

Several of these hinge joints are integral with the rotatable mirror platform 20 and these cooperate with the joints 2 that are in lock step with pin 11. It should be understood that the pin 11 is free to turn within hinge joint 1 as it is not crimped or held thereto. A spring loaded friction pad 10 and spring loaded ball are housed within the rotatable mirror platform 20. An arrow 30 and curve indicate the closure of the mirror housing 21. An arrow 31 and curve indicate the rotational ability of the mirror mounting platform 20, mirror housing 21, and mirror 22 as they are rotatable on rail mount 19A, 19, and 19B.

FIG. 2A present a rear view of the mirror housing 21 showing the various hinges 2 integral therewith in an embodiment disclosed herein. A tension adjustable spring loaded ball housing 28 extends outwards parallel and integral to the plate of the mirror housing 21 and forms a bullet like shape. Within this tension adjustable spring loaded ball housing 28 is a cavity for housing a tensioning spring 3 that pushes the ball 15 into the cavity and out a small hole at the small end of the bullet shape. This is used to pop mirror into its vertical positions of most common use as well as to maintain the mirror assembly into its position of non use with the reflective side of the mirror lying against the top of the rotatable mirror platform 20; the ball 15 moves rotationally and vertically against the back plate 29 that is integral with the friction disk housing 7 engaging the indents on the back of plate 29.

FIG. 2B shows a bottom level view of rotatable mirror platform 20 showing the various hinges 1 integral therewith in an embodiment disclosed herein. The back plate 29 is further integrated with a leading edge of the rotatable mirror platform 20 and so on integral with the friction disk housing 7. The friction disk housing 7 is circular in shape and has threads on an outer surface thereof for engagement with the threaded knob 8 similarly having threads on an inner surface thereof.

A raised housing 10A is integral with and protrudes down under the bottom surface of the rotatable mirror platform 20 directly adjacent to the circumferential groove or channel of the bearing race 16 upon which ball bearings 18 ride. This raised region 10A has a threaded hole therein for insertion of a tension adjustable screw 4 attached to a spring 5 that in turn is attached to a friction pad 13. The raised region 10A and its associated cavity is shaped and positioned so that when the bearing race 16 upon which the ball bearing 18 ride is situated accordingly, the cavity is directly opposite the fascia 19 of the rail mount; thus, the friction pad 13 is adjustable by the screw 4 to impact the outer surface of the fascia 19 thereby maintaining its position of rotational or angle adjustment.

Similarly, a raised region 10B is integral with and protrudes down under the bottom surface of the rotatable mirror platform 20 directly adjacent to the circumferential channel of the bearing race 16 upon which ball bearings 18 ride. This raised region 10B has a threaded hole therein for insertion of a tension adjustable screw 4 attached to a spring 3 that in turn is attached to a ball 15. The raised region 10B and its associated cavity is shaped and positioned so that when the bearing race 16 upon which the ball bearing 18 ride is situated accordingly, the cavity is directly opposite the fascia 19 of the rail mount; thus, the ball 15 is adjustable by the screw 4 to impact the outer surface of the fascia 19 thereby popping into positions of most common use as well as non-use parallel to the weapons rail, as this ball, 15, pops in and out of indents, 12 and 13.

A hole 23 concentric with the bearing race 16 is for the insertion of machine screw 20 having a head that holds the rotatable mirror platform 20 to the rail mount 19A. It should be understood that the fascia 19 is integral with the bearing platform 19B whose bottom portion is likewise integral with the rail mount 19A. The rail mount 19A and the bearing platform 19B has a concentric hole 23A therein that corresponds with the hole 23 in the rotatable mirror platform. A lace nut 25 has a central hole for the insertion of the machine screw 24 as it emerges from the bottom of the rail mount 19A. Both the lace nut 25 and the end portion of the machine screw 24 have a corresponding hole therein for the locking of the two together utilizing a cotter pin 26 there through. When the rotatable mirror platform 20 and the top of the bearing platform 19B are brought together the ball bearings 18 abut a cylindrical track 16 within rotatable mirror platform 20. The ball bearings 18 are mounted utilizing inner channels located in both the surface of the bottom of the rotatable mirror platform 20 and the surface of the top of the rail mount 19B.

FIG. 2C shows a front perspective tilted view of a fascia 19 having an integral bearing platform 19B and rail mount 19A in an embodiment disclosed herein. Integral with the bottom of the bearing platform 19A and its fascia 19 is a rail mount 19A thereof; various screws, springs or similar fasteners or otherwise mechanical attachment including levers, depending on what design of rail mount is being implemented, attach the rail mount 19A to a suitable rail on a firearm. As discussed, the ball bearings 18 are mounted in a channel located just on the inside of the outer perimeter of the top portion of the rail mount, 19B. This is a cylindrical track within which the bearings ride therein.

FIG. 3A presents a close up bottom view of a rotatable mirror platform 20 in an embodiment disclosed herein. Arrows between FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show how the various structures correspond to one another. Raised sections 10A and 10B contain threaded housings for both the tension adjustable spring loaded ball 15 as well as the tension adjustable spring loaded friction pad 14, that extend below rotating mirror mounting base 20 to make contact and work in conjunction with the fascia section 19 integral to rail mount 19A.

FIG. 3B presents a close up front tilted view of a fascia portion 19 and integral rail mount 19A portion. Arrows between FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show how the various structures correspond to one another

FIG. 4A presents a rear view of the mirror housing with cross cut or otherwise textured back side of mirror housing 21 and mirror 20 used to acquire a firm grip of the mirror assembly for employment and adjustment thereof as well as to break up unwanted reflective glare. The ball housing 28 is shifted to the opposite side from that shown in FIG. 2A of the hinge device and engaging the rotatable mirror platform also having its housing and knob shifted accordingly; the image is also rotated 90 degrees from that shown in FIG. 2A. The drawing shows how hinge joint 1 integral to rotating mirror platform 20 and hinge joint 2 integral to the mirror housing 21 cooperate together; the hinge joint 1 and hinge joint 2 alternately follow one another along the edge between rotating mirror platform 20 and mirror housing 21. An externally threaded housing 7 is shown near the end of the alternating hinges, 1, 2; here a bullet shaped ball housing 28 impacts the back side 29 of the friction disk housing 7 engaging various indents therein both into its positions of most common use as well as popping mirror 22 and mirror housing 21 into its position of non-use.

The back side 29 of the friction disk housing 7 is circular and as the friction disk housing 7 is cylindrical with the edges thereof integral with the edge of the circular back side 29. The hinge pin 11 having the disk 9 head is inserted within the hole 32 in friction disc 17A, then through the hinges 1,2 as previously described until the friction disc 17A and disc 9 head sits within the internal space of the friction disk housing. Of course, to effect the rotational control of the mirror 22, a knob 8 having internal threads is screwed on corresponding threads external to friction disk housing 7. Internal friction disks 17, 17A, are placed one atop the disk 9 and one 17A inserted through a hole 32 on the hinge pin itself respectively.

FIG. 4B shows a longitudinal hinge pin 11 integral with a disk 9 head in an embodiment taught herein. FIG. 4C shows a friction disk 17A having a central hole for mounting in the hinge pin 11 in an embodiment taught herein. FIG. 4D shows a friction disk for mounting atop the disk 9 integral with the hinge pin 9. By applying rotational motion to the knob 8 a user can increase the amount of friction as the two friction disks 17, 17A grip the disk 9 from both sides thereof.

FIG. 5A presents a left side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A with the mirror 22 folded downwards in an embodiment disclosed herein mounted on a rail; also shown in the drawing is a cross section of the friction disk housing 7. A friction disk 17A having a hole 32 at its center is shown mounted about the pin 11 within the hole 32. Various splines 35 are located about the inner periphery of the friction disk housing 7; these lock into the spaces between the teeth of friction disk 17A and friction disk 17 above the disk 9. It is to be understood that the shape of the outer perimeter of these friction discs 17A and 17 as well as their corresponding shape of the inner perimeter of friction disc housing 7 could be of any shape as long they lock into each other, allowing lateral but not rotational movement of friction discs 17A and 17.

FIG. 5B presents a view of hinge pin 11 with integral plate 9 with friction disc 17A and friction disc 17 in their proper order of assembly. FIG. 5C presents a bottom view of a knob 8 in an embodiment disclosed herein. The knob 8 has a space 14 at its center surrounded by a circular side wall 14A. Between the outer surface of this side wall 14A and the circular inner surface of the external lateral surface of knob 8 is a space designed to engage the outer threaded surface of housing 7. Threads 34 are disposed on the circular inner surface of the external lateral circular surface of knob 8 for this purpose.

FIG. 5D presents a side view of a tensioning spring 5 attached to a compression pad 6 for applying pressure to friction disks 17, 17A and disk 11 in an embodiment disclosed herein.

FIG. 5E presents a side cross section view of knob 8 showing a tensioning spring 5 attached to a compression pad 6 mounted in space 14; these are for applying pressure to friction disks 17, 17A and disk 9 in an embodiment disclosed herein.

FIG. 6A presents a left side view of a firearm accessory with the mirror and mirror housing folded down upon the rotatable mirror platform as taught in an embodiment herein. This is a right side view of an embodiment taught herein with the back plate 29 of the friction disk housing 7 visible on this side. This view also shows a button 39 inserted within the mirror housing 21; this button 39 permits the extension of the mirror beyond the confines described in previous embodiments.

FIG. 6B presents a front slightly rotated view of a firearm accessory with the mirror and mirror housing deployed straight up in an embodiment disclosed herein showing the knob on the left side of the accessory. This view also shows buttons 39 inserted within the mirror housing 21; these buttons 39 permits the extension of the mirror beyond the confines described in previous embodiments.

FIG. 7A presents a top view of a bearing platform 19B having a fascia and an integral rail mount 19A showing its fascia section 19 and having ball bearings 18 loaded in a depression within the bearing platform in an embodiment taught herein. A central hole 23A is used to attach this component to the rotatable mirror platform 20.

FIG. 7B presents a top view of a rotatable mirror platform 20 in an embodiment taught herein.

FIG. 7C presents a rear view of a mirror mounting plate 46 in an alternative embodiment taught herein. The mirror mounting plate 46 is narrower than the rotatable mirror platform 20 and has a slot 44 running vertically up and down the center thereof for the passing through of a machine screw 42 and thereby attaching it to the alternative mirror housing 21A at a threaded hole 42A therein. This screw 42A maintains the attachment of mirror mounting plate 46 to mirror housing 21A and stops mirror housing as it reaches the upper most position in slot 44, which is mirror's maximum adjustment of height. This machine screw 42A is also removed when an alternative mirror is substituted, such as a convex or other size or shaped mirror. The figure also shows two rows of teeth cut out of the sides of mirror mounting plate 46, one on the right side and one on the left side, with spaces between each tooth. It should be apparent from the figure that the narrower portion of the mirror mounting plate 46 suddenly becomes bigger at the bottom as it approaches hinges 2 so that it matches with hinges 1 on the rotatable mirror platform 20.

FIG. 7D presents a rear view of an alternative mirror housing 21A in an embodiment taught herein; a cross section on the right and left thereof shows how buttons 39 interact with spring actuation 41. Button 39 is modulated by a latch 40 that is spring 41 actuated thereby returning the button 39 to its original position as it simultaneously engages a space between rows of teeth on either side of mirror mounting plate 46. The latch 40 pivots on a pin 47 (not shown) that is integral to the mirror housing 21A thereby permitting the mirror to be height adjustable and thus useable with various types of viewing devices. The coiled spring 41 is located and attached to latch 40 at one end and has its other end attached to the surface of the alternative mirror housing 21A. A space 46A is cut out of the rear portion of the alternative mirror housing 21A for insertion therein of mirror mounting plate 46.

FIG. 7E presents a rear view of the mirror mounting plate 46 attached to the alternative mirror housing 21A in an embodiment taught herein with mirror housing cover plate 21B removed. The narrow vertical portion of the mirror mounting plate 46 is inserted within space 46A cut out of the rear portion of the alternative mirror housing 21A for pressing of the buttons 39 on either side and release of the latch 40 actuated by spring 41 that returns the latch to its original position thereby engaging a space between rows of teeth 45. A screw 4 actuates a spring 3 having a ball mounted within the bullet shaped ball housing 28 as before. FIG. 7F presents a rear view of the mirror housing cover plate and inside portion of this cover plate 21B makes up and completes the mirror mounting plate housing 46A. This cover plate is mechanically fastened and sealed with the aid of flat head machine screws 42B that extend through the textured back side of cover plate and is threaded into blindly threaded corresponding holes 42C located in mirror mounting base 21A.

FIG. 8 presents a close up view of the spring actuated latch and button that pushes against a curved portion of the latch in an embodiment taught herein; this so that the alternative mirror housing 21A can be moved along the mirror mounting plate 46 and locked into various positions along this row of teeth to effect the mirror height adjustment. The button 39 has a main rectangular portion 39A that protrudes out the side of the alternative mirror housing 21A; it also has a small flange 39B at either narrow end so that the button 39 cannot separate laterally out from the mirror housing 21A. The flange 39B is formed from an integral larger back portion integral with and running along the back of the main rectangular portion 39A.

This larger back portion is further integral to a rod 39C ending in an integral bulbous end 39D. The bulbous end 39D extends out of a dual sided neck 39G (formed from raised protrusions on the back of the alternative mirror housing 21A). Thus, the bulbous end 39D also assists in preventing the lateral separation of the button 39 from the alternative mirror housing 21A. Two oppositely disposed L shaped protrusions 39F also extend out from the back of the alternative mirror housing 21A forming a rectangular space 39E within which the button 39A moves. The ends of each oppositely disposed L shaped protrusions is integral with one of the dual sided necks 39G.

The latch 40 is situated within a space in the alternative mirror housing 21A such that a curved end 40A of the latch abuts the bulbous end 39D of the button 39 so as to effect motion therewith against the curved end 40A. When the button 39 is pushed in it (39D to 40A) operates against latch 40 thereby activating the spring 41 and concomitantly separating an opposite end of the latch 40 from the mirror mounting plate 46. This happens because the locking protrusion 40B integral with latch 40 is ordinarily found in a space or notch between the teeth 45 of the mirror mounting plate 46 where it was in its static mode; the locking protrusion extends out laterally through a hole 21C in the alternative mirror housing 21A towards the center of the mirror mounting plate 46.

The mechanism returning the button 39 and latch 40 back to its static position is a spring 41 situated in a depression 41A in the latch 40. A pin 47 is placed into a hole 47A in the latch 40 where is passes through this hole and latch 40 and it extends up into a hole located on an inside portion of cover plate 21 B. The spring 41 is connected to the inside of depression 41A and is coiled about inside depression 41A and around the central hole 47/pin 47A, with one end of the spring 41 close to the pin 47, hole 47A and the other end exiting out of the depression 41A in the latch 40 and connected to an inner surface of the mirror mounting plate 46. Thus, when the button 39 is pressed it disengages the mirror mounting plate 46 from the alternative mirror housing 21A utilizing a spring 41 activated latch 40.

FIG. 9 presents a right side view of an alternative embodiment similar to that shown in FIG. 6A with the mirror 22 folded downwards and popped into its position of non-use in an embodiment disclosed herein. Here buttons 39 are provided as shown previously as in FIG. 8 for example. Notice the mirror housing 21A is larger in diameter on three sides than mirror mounting base 20 for easy grip and employment thereof. This is true in all embodiments of this device.

FIG. 10A presents the entire device mounted on a weapon's rail and rotated 90 degrees to view the device from its back side with the mirror housing cover 21B illustrated as if it were transparent to view inner workings therein, with the mirror raised to a vertical position so that the back side of the internal workings of mirror housing 21A can be viewed in an embodiment taught herein and with mirror housing 21A lowered down and locked into its lowest position.

FIG. 10B presents an extended mirror housing mounted on a mirror mounting plate in an embodiment taught herein on a device mounted on a weapon's rail and rotated 90 degrees to view the device from its back side with the mirror housing cover 21B illustrated as if it were transparent to view inner workings therein, with the mirror raised to a vertical position so that the back side of the internal workings of mirror housing 21A can be viewed in an embodiment taught herein and with mirror housing 21A raised up and locked into its highest position in an embodiment taught herein.

FIG. 11A presents an alternative embodiment having a flat mirror height adjustable through the use of two slots in the back of the mirror mounting plate in an embodiment taught herein. Here a moveable mirror housing upon a mirror mounting plate 51 having two long vertical slots 50 therein. FIG. 11B presents an alternative embodiment having a convex mirror that mounts in the same manner on mirror mounting plate 43 as does flat mirror assembly 21B seen in previous illustration FIG. 11A. This mirror assembly is also height adjustable through the use of two slots in the back of the mirror mounting plate in an embodiment taught herein. FIG. 11B in an embodiment taught herein having various ridges and grooves or teeth 51 on the front surface of the mounting plate that optionally engage corresponding ridges and grooves or teeth 52 on the back of the mirror housing of mirror 58.

FIG. 12A is a rear view of a mirror housing having a U shaped lip that extends around three sides thereof that mirror mounting plate 51 is inserted there into. The mirror mounting plate is further secured to the mirror housing with screws inserted through slots in the back of a mirror mounting plate to attach it to the mirror housing in an embodiment taught herein. FIG. 12A in an embodiment taught herein the front side of mirror mounting plate 43 includes lateral ridges and grooves or teeth 51 that mesh into ridges and grooves or teeth 52 in the backside of mirror housing 21B are visible through the slots 50 in the mounting plate 43; the edge of the mirror housing 21B extends to the outer perimeters of the textured backside of mirror mounting plate 43 and is securely fastened inside lip 53. Machine screws 55 are each inserted within each slot 50 and engage raised threaded collets 54 in the back of the mirror housing 21B thereby locking it in a particular location. FIG. 12B is a rear view of a mirror housing having a U lip with screws inserted through slots in the back of a mirror mounting plate 43 to attach it to the back of mirror housing 21B in an embodiment taught herein. This embodiment teaches the mirror housing 21B being extended upwards and locked into its position of highest vertical adjustment.

FIG. 13A is a front view of a large convex mirror 58 and mirror housing 21C mounted on a mirror mounting plate having slots for insertion of screws impacting the back of the mirror housing 21C in an embodiment taught herein. This embodiment taught herein having a mirror housing 58 mounted on a mirror mounting plate 43 having ridges and grooves or teeth 51 in the front part thereof. Vertical slots 50 are also cut into the mirror mounting plate 43.

FIG. 13B presents a rear view showing the mirror housing having a central recessed region for placement of a mirror mounting plate in an embodiment taught herein. This has an upside down U raised lip 53 in an embodiment taught herein so that the front side of mirror mounting plate 51 is tightly secured into and can slide therein. Ridges and grooves or lateral teeth 52 are within a depression bordered by the lip 53 for engagement with the front ridges and grooves or teeth 51 of the mirror mounting plate 43. Effecting this are threaded raised bases or collets 54 in the back of the mirror housing that are engaged by screws 55 through slots 50 in the mirror mounting plate 51.

FIG. 14A presents a rotated perspective view of a mirror housing having a raised upside down U shaped lip 53 for engagement with the sides of the mirror mounting plate 43 shown in FIG. 14B. A series of horizontal ridges and grooves or teeth run down the back surface of the mirror housing; these are to engage corresponding ridges and grooves or teeth 51 in the front surface of the mirror mounting plate shown in FIG. 14B. The mirror housing further has a pair of side by side raised protrusions or collets 54 having threaded holes therein for insertion of screws 55 through the back of slots in the mirror mounting plate 43. These raised protrusions fit in through slots 50 in the mirror mounting plate 43 and extend upward through slots 50 to a point just below the outer or back surface of the mounting plate 43 so that the mounting plate 43 can be tightly secured to the mirror mounting base 21B with the threads of the machine screws 55 obtaining a full nut of threads while still allowing the device to maintain a very low profile.

FIG. 14B presents a side view of the firearm accessory in an embodiment taught herein with the mirror mounting plate 51 raised to a vertical angle of adjustment so a profile view of the ridges and grooves or teeth 56 can be viewed. FIG. 14C presents a side view of the firearm accessory in an embodiment taught herein with the mirror mounting plate 51 reattached to mirror base to illustrate the device's low profile, closed or folded down upon the rotatable mirror platform 20.

FIG. 15A presents a rear view of a mirror housing 21A having a raised upside down U shaped lip 53 for engagement with the sides of the mirror mounting plate 43 shown in FIG. 15C-D. A series of horizontal ridges and grooves or teeth 52 runs across the surface of the back of mirror housing; these are to engage corresponding ridges and grooves or teeth 51 located on the front surface of the mirror mounting plate shown in FIG. 15D. The mirror housing further has a pair of side by side raised protrusions or collets 54 having threaded holes therein for insertion of screws 55 through the back of slots in the mirror mounting plate 43.

FIG. 15B presents a front side view of a mirror 22 and mirror housing 21B. FIG. 15C presents a rear view of a mirror mounting plate 43 having hinge portions 2; mounting plate 43 has a textured back surface for easy grip thereof and to break up unwanted glare; and a spring actuated ball housing 28 at an end thereof. Slots 50 in the back of the mirror mounting plate 43 are for insertion of screws 55 there through so as to engage corresponding raised threaded protrusions 54 in the back of the mirror housing as in FIG. 15A. FIG. 15D presents a rear view of the mirror mounting plate 51 having hinge portions 2 and slots for insertion of the raised protrusions 54 and the screws 55 there through as well as grooves and ridges or teeth 51 thereon for engagement with grooves and ridges or teeth 52 in the back side of the mirror housing 21B.

FIG. 16A presents a user 70 with a firearm 67 with two accessories mounted on the rail system thereon and viewing a target image or surveilling an area through a reflex type sight 69 or with the naked eye receiving the reflected image thereof from the device 62 mounted on the forward section of the firearm's rail system with mirror raised and popped into or adjusted to the user's desired vertical and rotational angle of adjustment. The mirror illustrated on device 62 is of the larger convex design that would enable the user to surveil the environs in a much broader or wider range of view. An additional device 63 is mounted on the rail system behind the target viewing device, 69, with device 63 folded down and popped into its position of non-use so as not to obstruct the view of the target image or the area being surveilled provided by the device and either received through the red dot or reflex sight 69 or directly from the device to the naked eye while doing so.

FIG. 16B Presents a user 70 with a firearm 67 with two accessories mounted on a rail system thereof and viewing the reflected target image provided by the scope 64 to the user thereof from the device 62 mounted behind the scope 64. An additional device 63 is mounted on the rail system in front of the scope, 64, with device 63 folded down and popped into its position of non-use so as not to obstruct the view of the target image or the area being surveilled provided by the scope to the device 62 and thus the reflected image provided by the scope is reflected to the user. The user from this position or basically any other can receive the target image provided by the scope or other type sight by simply rotating the device basically to any angle enabling the user to receive the reflected image from the scope from basically any position from side to side or around the firearm that he would have to position himself in order to remain behind protective cover to the accurate use of the firearm and by simply adjusting the vertical angle of the mirror or by rotating the firearm to adjust mirror angle in the same way, this, along with the 360 degree angle adjustability of the device enables the user to receive the reflected target image from the sight that the sight is working in conjunction with to accurately engage targets from overhead or underneath walls, armored vehicles, or other structures from basically any position around the firearm that the user would have to position himself to the accurate use of the firearm.

FIG. 16A and B present a user 70 with a firearm 67 with two accessories mounted on the rail system thereon. These devices are illustrated in this manner with this device mounted on the weapon's rail 43 on both sides of the target viewing device that it would be working in conjunction with, in that in many military theaters of combat, the speed of deployment of these devices could be critical to make the transition between the surveillance of a target and engagement thereof. These devices would be equipped with one of many of the quick release rail mount systems that are widely available so that this device could be removed from one side of the target viewing device and remounted on the other side of the target viewing device that it is working in conjunction with while still maintaining a certain degree of speed and efficiency.

The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A firearm accessory comprising: a mirror disposed within a mirror housing having a first integral hinge in rotational association with a rotatable mirror platform through a second hinge integrally associated with the rotatable mirror platform.
 2. The firearm accessory of claim 1, further comprising: an axle device mounted between the first integral hinge and the second hinge.
 3. A firearm accessory of claim 2, wherein the axle device further comprises: a pin.
 4. A firearm accessory of claim 2, wherein the axle device further comprises: an integral disk at an end of the axle device.
 5. A firearm accessory of claim 2, wherein the axle device further comprises: a pin integral at a center of a disk.
 6. A firearm accessory of claim 5, wherein the pin is inserted between the first integral hinge and the second hinge.
 7. The firearm accessory of claim 1, further comprising: a friction device associated with the first integral hinge and the second hinge.
 8. The firearm accessory of claim 1, further comprising: a housing integrally associated an end of the rotatable mirror platform.
 9. The firearm accessory of claim 1, further comprising: an axle device mounted between the first integral hinge and the second hinge wherein the axle device has a disk integral therewith that is mounted in the housing.
 10. The firearm accessory of claim 1, further comprising: a friction disk device mounted in the housing.
 11. The firearm accessory of claim 8, further comprising: a cover removably attached to the housing.
 12. The firearm accessory of claim 1, further comprising: a bearing attached to and rotationally associated with the rotatable mirror platform.
 13. The firearm accessory of claim 12, wherein the bearing further comprises: an integral rail mount.
 14. The firearm accessory of claim 12, further comprising: a position lock mounted on the rotatable mirror platform and rotationally associated with the bearing.
 15. The firearm accessory of claim 12, further comprising: a friction lock mounted on the rotatable mirror platform and rotationally associated with the bearing.
 16. The firearm accessory of claim 8, wherein the mirror housing further comprises: a position lock integrally formed from the mirror housing and in physical associate with the rotatable mirror platform.
 17. A firearm accessory comprising: a mirror disposed within a slidable mirror housing moveable using a mirror mounting plate wherein the mirror mounting plate has a first integral hinge in rotational association with a rotatable mirror platform through a second hinge integrally associated with the rotatable mirror platform.
 18. The firearm accessory of claim 17, further comprising: a button associated with both the mirror mounting plate and the slidable mirror housing and situated within the slidable mirror housing.
 19. The firearm accessory of claim 18, further comprising: a spring assembly mounted on the slidable mirror housing and associated with the button and with the mirror mounting plate.
 20. A firearm accessory comprising: a mirror disposed within a slidable mirror housing moveable using a mirror mounting plate wherein the mirror mounting plate has a first integral hinge in rotational association with a rotatable mirror platform through a second hinge integrally associated with the rotatable mirror platform; a button associated with both the mirror mounting plate and the slidable mirror housing and situated within the slidable mirror housing; a spring assembly mounted on the slidable mirror housing and associated with the button and with the mirror mounting plate; and a slot in the back of the mirror mounting plate for placement of a fastener therein and further through a corresponding aperture in the slidable mirror housing. 